Captain Abraham Godwin
| Abraham Godwin | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Abraham Godwin November 23, 1724 Dutchess county, New York |
| Died |
February 9, 1777 (aged 52) Fishkill, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Gordon, Captain |
| Occupation | Carpenter, Stagecoach route, Town Collector, Inn Keeper, Marine Captain |
| Spouse(s) | Phebe Coole |
| Children | Abraham Godwin |
Abraham Godwin (November 23, 1724 – February 9, 1777) was a carpenter from New York City and one of the first Euro-American settlers in the area of Paterson, New Jersey, earlier known as Acquackanonk. He built the Godwin Hotel, and opened a stage coach line for tourists visiting the Passaic Falls, briefly holding a monopoly. In April 1758, After making a good impression on the Dutch, Abraham was selected Town Collector for the Saddle River Township, now known as Saddle Brook. Godwin became a member of the general committee of local government in 1775.
Godwin's parents came over from England in 1720. He had three sons, Henry, Abraham and David.
In 1755 Abraham Godwin purchased lot Number eight of the Boght Division of the Acquackanonk Patent, (now Riverside), Paterson, New Jersey).Originally, Godwin built a house across the street from the notorious Godwin Hotel (later renamed Passaic Hotel).He brought his family from New York City to the country when the house was finished. The Native-Americans would still come and camp across the river for a few weeks during the summer. They were friendly, and Abraham would give them liquor but told them that it could make them violent. They understood his warnings and would use it to dance. His children would play with the natives and come home covered in paint and pine needle attire.
The Ringwood Iron Works appointed Godwin as an agent, so he bought a large tract of land on the other side of the river. If the river would became too high to cross, the iron would be stored on this land. He then built two more houses, the Doremus house and the Benson house. The Benson house was demolished in August 1883.
Godwin joined the American Revolutionary War in New York on February 13, 1776, after a failed attempt to join in New Jersey. He was declared enemy of the King. Abraham owned considerable real estate, but his creditor from New York City, who was loyal to the King, demanded he pay off his debts. In order to satisfy his creditor, half of his estate was sold to Jacob Van Winkle, a neighbor and well-known Tory. Godwin built another house with a half acre he bought from Abraham Van Houten. Abraham was stationed in New York City as Captain of Marines on board the row galley USS Lady Washington. Godwin was shot sometime around the Battle of Brooklyn, but survived.
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